State-of-the-art Continuing Education

Expert Instructors

Convenient Online Learning

Course curriculum

    1. Module 1: History and Phenomenology of BFRBs Across the Lifespan

    1. Module 1: Post-Test

    1. Module 2: Established Treatments

    1. Module 2: Post-Test

    1. Module 3: Clinical Assessment, Case Conceptualization & Setting Clients up for Success

    1. Module 3: Post-Test

About this course

  • $159.00
  • CE Credits: 10.0 hours
  • Self-Paced Video-Based Course
  • Level: Introductory-Intermediate

About This Course

  • Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are repetitive self-grooming behaviors, such as trichotillomania (hair pulling) and excoriation disorder (skin picking), that fall within the scope of OCD and related disorders. Although BFRBs are common, affecting as many as 1 in 20 individuals, accessing accurate information and evidence-based treatment resources can be challenging. This workshop will provide up-to-date comprehensive evidence-based clinical training in the diagnosis,cross-cultural phenomenology, multifactorial self-reinforcing behavioral conceptualization, and current empirical review of the treatment of BFRBs. In-depth instruction will be provided in delivering integrative behavioral therapy (IBT) which entails a unified treatment protocol utilizing the full range of scientifically-supported psychological interventions to target under-addressed challenges of BFRBs and maximize/maintain treatment success.



Course created: December 2024

A portion of the proceeds of this training is donated to BFRB Changemakers. BFRB Changemakers non-profit (EIN #93-1544492) supports BFRB healing through community. Through the BFRB Changemakers Training Academy we strive to increase access to care by offering Continuing Education training to new and seasoned mental health treatment professionals. For more information about the organization, visit bfrbchangemakers.org.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the historical understanding of BFRBs.
  • Define the current diagnostic criteria for these disorders, rule-out diagnoses, and identify common co-occurring conditions.
  • Describe the phenomenology of BFRBs, including prevalence, manifestation of symptoms, and impact on individuals.
  • Discuss the assessment and monitoring of these behaviors.
  • Discuss the most recent empirical data regarding psychopharmacological and nutraceutical treatments.
  • Describe the multifactorial self-reinforcing nature of BFRBs and the behavioral conceptual framework. 
  • Review the current standard of care and evidence base for psychological treatment approaches, including habit reversal training (HRT), Comprehensive Model for the Behavioral Treatment of BFRBs (ComB), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
  • Describe an integrative behavioral therapy for BFRBs (IBT) that enhances insight, self-acceptance, and motivation, identifies the patterns unique to each individual’s BFRB, and implements strategies aimed at developing psychological flexibility and the freedom to live a full, meaningful life.

Instructor(s)

Marla Deibler, PsyD. ABPP

Founder & CEO, The Center for Emotional Health

Marla Deibler, PsyD, ABPP is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Board-Certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology, and Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia. Dr. Deibler serves on the Faculty of the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) of the International OCD Foundation, the Board of Directors of OCD NJ - the NJ affiliate of the IOCDF, and on the Scientific Advisory Council of the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome. Dr. Deibler is a Visiting Clinical Supervisor at the Rutgers University Psychological Services Clinic, and an Executive Council member of the ACBS OCD SIG. She is co-author of The BFRB Recovery Workbook and writes for Psychology Today.

Renae Reinardy, PsyD

Director, Lakeside Center for Behavioral Change

Renae M. Reinardy, PsyD is a Licensed Psychologist and Director of the Lakeside Center for Behavioral Change. Dr. Reinardy specializes in the evidence-based treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobias, Hoarding Disorder, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Tic Disorders, and related conditions. She is the Program Developer of CourageCritters.com, a skills-focused online and plush animal system. Dr. Reinardy serves on the BTTI Faculty for the International OCD Foundation. She is an advocate for childhood mental health and a delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors.

Continuing Education

Course Approvals

  • The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, LLC is not responsible to verify that American Psychological Association continuing education credits are approved by an attendee's respective state licensing Board.


  • The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0189. Provider Name:  The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, LLC Address:  1910 Route 70, E, Suite 7, Cherry Hill, NJ  08003-2123 Email address: [email protected] 


  • The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.7263. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.


  • The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, LLC, #1820, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, LLC maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 6/15/2023 - 6/15/2026. 


  • *A post test must be taken and passed in order to receive CE credit. Participants may retake the posttest a maximum of 3 times to receive a passing score. A qualifying passing score is 80% or above.

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